i.) Each time I watch RotK this shot stands out to me. It feels like the false perspective in terms of Pippin's (Billy's) size doesn't work too well for the shot, that is, for a few seconds prior when you can see his entire body measured up to the guy next to him. Does anybody else notice this or feel this?

"You do not let your eyes see nor your ears hear, and that which is outside your daily life is not of account to you. Ah, it is the fault of our science that it wants to explain all; and if it explain not, then it says there is nothing to explain."

1) I can easily put that down to a trick of perspective given that Pippin is closer to the camera than the bloke behind him.

2. Look at the fabric of his shirt! It looks soft and warm, and the embroidery looks very pretty. I really want to touch it! (Whether or not Pip is in the shirt at the time.) Is anyone else really tactile when it comes to fabrics? Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

The two characters do look out of alignment and it makes for unbalance in the scenes. nevertheless better to have Pippin in it with all the faults rather than a double. It does give the scenes some meaning as to Pippin's curiosity and his unwillingness to listen and obey advice given by close friends.

There is a force at work here and the first relates to Pippin's sudden obsession to touch the orb, its being on his mind all day and now night has arrived and he cannot get it out of his system. As the object of his desire is in close proximity sleep is very much a impossible mission. There is an unbalance in the air as the rest of the company rests and sleeps. The Eye knows about Saruman and aware that its enemy has the Palantir. So it waits and bides its time under the cover of darkness for the moment.

i.) Each time I watch RotK this shot stands out to me. It feels like the false perspective in terms of Pippin's (Billy's) size doesn't work too well for the shot, that is, for a few seconds prior when you can see his entire body measured up to the guy next to him. Does anybody else notice this or feel this?

I always thought it was deliberate. It’s like how in “Ring-Vision™” the other characters look out of focus and misshapen, as if the magic of the ring has taken Frodo slightly out of the real world. Similarly, one might assume that the magic of the palantir has taken Pippin slightly away from the rational world. He's coming under the irresistible lure of “palantir-lust” rather than “ring-lust”.

ii.) Any other thoughts/comments?

There's his body language. His arms are crossed, subconsciously assuming a defensive posture, as if he feels a threat from somewhere. Unfortunately it's too late. Note how the left half of his face is in darkness. Something "sinister" is already in Pippin's head. ****************************************** The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”